The 102nd Ottawa-Gatineau CBC was held December 20. Temperatures ranged from -4 to 0 degrees, with persistent snow and then drizzle over much of the count circle.
174 field observers plus feeder watchers found 76 species. Highlights included one each of Field Sparrow, Cackling Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, and Short-eared Owl; a record 4 Red-bellied Woodpeckers; and 10 Hoary Redpolls, including one hornemanni. Record highs were set for Wood Duck (11), Wild Turkey (274), White-breasted Nuthatch (632), and Northern Cardinal (741); and 8 Barred Owl tied a record high. Common Raven (164) and Bohemian Waxwing (5,736) also stand to be record highs but there are still some potential overlap issues to be addressed.
American Crow was easily the most abundant species (at least 20,000) but our final number has yet to be established. Good numbers were recorded for Red-breasted Nuthatch (165), Hermit Thrush (5), Cedar Waxwing (223), and Common Redpoll (1,966). Other winter finches recorded included Evening Grosbeak (106), Pine Grosbeak (115), White-winged Crossbill (40), and Pine Siskin (28).
The Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count is a joint effort of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC) and the Club des ornithologues de l’Outaouais (COO). My thanks to the participants, the sector leaders, and especially my co-compiler, Daniel Toussaint of the COO.
Bernie Ladouceur